The Basic Teachings and
Practices
“Suffering I teach..and
the way out of suffering”
Arya-Satya: The Four Noble
Truths
Arya (noble) - Satya (truth)
The Medical
Pattern: The disease is identified, its cause is diagnosed, a remedy is declared to exist, and that remedy is prescribed.
The
Four Noble Truths
-
Duhkha:
All life is Duhkha (unsatisfactoriness). “Suffering” Consists of a wide spectrum of connotations,
the most dire forms of mental and physical pain, and also petty dislikes frustrations and the feeling that life is never quite
right. It is also known as the dark side of life as opposed to Sukha, the
light side pleasure and happiness. The road to wisdom begins with not a pessimistic view of Duhka but a realistic one.
-
Trishna:
“Thirst” Gross forms of Trishna are obsessive lust for money and sensual pleasure, subtle
forms are a desire to do good or know the truth. Trishna is not an aberration but entirely natural. It is the fundamental
ache a gnawing dissatisfaction and a grasping for something outside ourselves. It is the engine that drives the endless cycle-wheeling
motion of the Wheel of Life.
-
Freedom
From Cravings: Nibbana (Pali) Nirvana (Skt.) Blowing out as a flame is extinguished.
A concept that cannot be described in words or by sense experience or by a mind operating in terms of its usual conceptual
categories. Nirvana lies beyond both existence and non-existence. It is not a place, nor is it somewhere else. Some misconceptions
are to see Nirvana as nothingness, or a complete annihilation or an eternalism, or a heaven where all good Buddhist go. It
can only be gained through direct insight which, is what the Buddhist way is all about. Direct insight comes from the remedy.
Wisdom
(Prajna)
-
Right Views
-
Right Purpose
-
Right
Speech
Morality
(Shila)
-
Right Conduct
-
Right Vocation
-
Right Effort
Meditation
(Samadhi)
-
Right Concentration
-
Right Meditation
Right Views: Not
only does one have to understand the Four Noble Truths theoretically, but has to actively penetrate their truth by testing
them against experience. The way is founded on informed confidence in the soundness of the teachings rather that blind faith
or misguided attraction to its superficial aspects.
Right Purpose:
Entails correct motivation, not to acquire greater powers or more possessions, but to move away from egocentric orientation
to a more selfless one.
Right Speech:
Being truthful, abstain from swearing, using harsh language, or slandering and backbiting.
Right Conduct:
Practice decent behavior. Refrain from taking life, taking that which is not given, misuse of the senses, telling lies, and
self-intoxication with drink and drugs.
Right Vocation:
Engaging in activities that do not cause harm and hopefully do some good. Activities based on Ahimsa (harmlessness).
Right Effort:
The effort to be aware and awake in each moment. The effort to overcome laziness and defilement. The effort to make each activity
of our day a meditation.
Right Concentration:
Shamatha: "Calm abiding" Lay aside all personal problems and bring calm abiding concentration on a single object
(samadhi). The object must be neutral, unexciting and unevocative. Do not set goals or ambitious results. Do not cling to
thoughts and feelings just observe both the internal thoughts that arise then vanish. Also be aware of external phenomena,
bird songs, the feel of the wind, sun angles, et cetera: be awake and aware in all senses.
Right Meditation:
Vipashyana: Insight meditation. The mind is opened and awareness is directed to all that enters. Become neutral towards
old fears and phobias, traumas and repressions. Being neutral permits them to pass away. No clinging
Break open
A cherry tree
And there are no flowers,
But
the spring breeze
Brings forth a myriad of blossoms!
- Ikkyu (1394-1481)
